House of Commons photoWon his last election, in 2011, with 52% of the vote.
Aboriginal Affairs November 3rd, 2006
Mr. Speaker, Canada's position is that pre-Confederation specific claims are a shared responsibility and the best way to solve these claims is through cooperation with the province and first nations.
We will continue to do so but, unfortunately, the Government of Ontario has been political grandstanding on this issue. We want to return to prudent, responsible negotiations.
Mr. Speaker, the member opposite knows full well that in fact there was no accord, and there was no signed document which would indicate that there was an accord. I asked this of the member forLaSalle—Émard and of course he could prove that there was no signature page.
The Government of Canada is very interested in the events that came out of the first ministers meeting and has gone about implementing much of what was called for at that meeting, including, of course, in regard to the housing neglect we have seen in 13 years of Liberal inaction. Our government has moved forward, as I already have said, with $300 million in northern housing and $300 million in off reserve housing.
We will continue to work with real money and real dollars, not just empty promises and ambiguous bills. No more ambiguous bill could there be than the one brought forward by the member for LaSalle—Émard, as there is absolutely no subject to it. We are committed to integrity through real legislation, real dollars and structural change.
It should be noted that structural change is an important--
Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise and respond to the question from my hon. colleague from Labrador regarding the financial commitments Canada's new government has made to aboriginal people in Canada.
After a long and weary Liberal reign filled with corruption, neglect and past ministers making promises with their fingers crossed behind their backs, our aboriginal people have been left in a dire situation. That is why this new government and the new minister are stepping up to the plate. We are committing new funds and working toward structural changes that will actually allow the dollars to get through to aboriginal people instead of getting chewed up by administration and red tape.
Our budget commits to financial investments in aboriginal and northern communities that will produce a material and measurable improvement in the quality of life. These are not long term promises. These are actual funds, committed to a tight, two year timeframe for concrete results.
Let me review the strong commitments we have made. We have identified priority areas of water, housing, education, and family support.
To make a powerful and targeted response to those needs, this year's budget has committed $450 million over two years to water and housing initiatives on reserve, to education, and to initiatives supporting women, children and families. Unlike the previous Liberal government, this new Conservative government is taking the rights and obstacles of aboriginal women seriously.
Furthermore, this government will devote $300 million to housing projects for aboriginal people living off reserve and another $300 million to affordable housing in the territories.
In the north, this government has established a $500 million Mackenzie gas project impact fund to support regional projects that help to alleviate the socio-economic impacts on communities affected by this project.
We also recognize that it is impossible to move forward in partnership with aboriginal people without addressing the past, so we have devoted $2.2 billion to provide financial recognition of the often negative impact of the residential schools experience. This goes along with the support programs to help former students, their families and their communities build a better future for themselves.
In all, a full $3.7 billion in the budget has been earmarked for investment in aboriginal and northern initiatives. This amounts to a massive increase over previous amounts allocated by the long-winded but short-sighted former government.
This Conservative government is only getting started. Just this past week at the First Nations Socioeconomic Forum in Quebec, our government announced more than $88 million in initiatives and investments to benefit first nations, Métis and Inuit people in Quebec and Labrador. These funds are in line with the new approach we have developed for addressing the challenges that face many aboriginal people and communities. This approach has four elements and will be done in partnership with aboriginal people.
The first initiative is to empower individuals to take greater control of and responsibility for their lives through direct investments toward housing and education.
Next, we are working to accelerate the backlogged land claims process that was left at our feet by the previous government.
We are also promoting economic development, job training, skills, and entrepreneurship.
Finally, we will be laying out the groundwork for responsible self-government by moving toward modern and accountable governance structures.
In conclusion, regardless of the terrible situation our government has inherited, we will not allow the past to be an excuse. We will move forward with structural change to improve service delivery. We will defend the rights of aboriginal people, women and children. We will clean up infected water. We will improve education. Nothing will stand in the way of this government, the minister or our commitment to improve the lives of aboriginal people.
Aboriginal Affairs October 30th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indian Affairs was very proud to be a co-sponsor of this event. Meaningful things came from this event, including deliberations on housing.
Our government has moved forward with important funding announcements: $300 million for northern housing, $300 million for off reserve housing, as well as a $450 million package, which is one of the largest investments we have seen in the last 10 years.
Aboriginal Affairs October 30th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development was very proud to be a co-sponsor of the socio-economic forum at Mashteuiatsh. He took part in a meaningful way and was very proud to be a part of the deliberations there.
In relation to housing, the minister has moved forward with one of the largest announcements we have seen in many years: $300 million for northern housing and $300 million for off reserve housing.
We are taking action and we are very proud of that.
Aboriginal Affairs October 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, contrary to the opposition, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development along with the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, and the Minister of Labour and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, as well as other members of our Quebec caucus were in fact there and will continue to be present for aboriginal people in Quebec.
At the forum the minister announced $3.8 million for the University of Quebec, nearly $.75 million for the First Nations Education Council. Health Canada put aside $16.2 million. I could go on, but the point is that Canada's new government is there and the opposition is not.
Aboriginal Affairs October 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, our government has moved forward with one of the largest investments in the Department of Indian Affairs that we have seen in many years. In fact, we have brought forward $300 million in new housing announcements for northern communities and $300 million for off reserve housing as well.
Unfortunately, over the last 13 years we saw very little from the previous Liberal government, but, thankfully, our new minister is acting with real money and real dollars.
Aboriginal Affairs October 27th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, the Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development has been involved since the beginning of this conference as a co-sponsor and we have had a very large contingent of our ministers there, including the Minister of Transport and the Minister of Industry.
It should be pointed out that even though this was in fact offered to opposition MPs, including the members for Winnipeg South Centre, Nanaimo—Cowichan and Desnethé—Missinippi—Churchill River, none of them came.
Clearly our government has been involved in Quebec, especially in relation to aboriginal affairs, and will continue to be.
Aboriginal Affairs October 26th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, our government has been at the table in Caledonia since the beginning. We will continue to work with all parties to find a peaceful solution.
I must be clear that the Government of Ontario did act unilaterally in purchasing the land that is currently in dispute. Of course, policing is still a provincial jurisdiction on that land as well.
We will continue to be involved with all parties to find a lasting solution.
Aboriginal Affairs October 26th, 2006
Mr. Speaker, earlier this year we appointed Alan Pope as our special federal representative, who is working with the community, the provincial government and all those affected to find a lasting solution. We look forward to working with the community to find options in relocation in the context of a plan to develop a sustainable long term community.